Embark on a spectacular journey from Romania, through Bulgaria and into Turkey, discovering the architectural grandeur and quaint cultural enclaves that make this such an intriguing part of the world. Absorb Bucharest’s austere atmosphere on a guided walking tour, compare age-old places of worship in Sofia and be treated to traditional Bulgarian hospitality on an overnight homestay in Gorno Draglishte. Breathe in crisp alpine air on a hike in the Pirin Mountains, meander back in time in the Old Town of Plovdiv and be dazed and amazed by Istanbul. Relatively short in terms of distance travelled, this eight-day trip is a fascinating study in just how much regions can change as you cross national borders.

Why we love this trip

Immerse yourself in the communist past and vibrant present of Bucharest, a city often underrated by travellers

Travel through the scenic Rila Mountains in Bulgaria, mingling with monks at the 10th-century Rila Monastery

The mountain village of Gorno Draglishte is home to a rich cultural heritage and a delightful community of welcoming locals. Experience the best of both worlds during a family home-stay (delicious home-cooked dinner included)

The ancient Roman theatre in Plovdiv’s city centre was only discovered when a landslide uncovered it in the 1970s. Explore the amphitheatre and Plovdiv's other significant sights on a guided walking tour

East meets west, tradition meets modernity, culture meets commerce - the vast metropolis of Istanbul is a beguiling mix of just about everything. Admire the majestic Aya Sofia and Blue Mosque before shopping to your heart’s content at the famous Grand Bazaar. This is one of Europe's most exciting cities to explore on foot

Is this trip right for you?

As there are potholes and cobblestones in many European cities, it's recommended that you leave any wheelie bags/cases at home and bring a backpack instead.

This trip involves some travel by public bus, including a few long journeys of up to seven hours. Although this can be a bit tiresome, it's a great way to meet locals and relax while enjoying the passing scenery.

Summer temperatures can be extreme in many of the regions visited (over 40°C), which can be uncomfortable. It’s important to use sun protection, wear layers to combat the heat and drink plenty of water. Please carefully consider the time of the year you wish to travel and your suitability to that season.

As accommodation on this trip is multi-share, single travellers will share a room with another traveller of the same sex. This trip is a great opportunity to get to know other like-minded people, so embrace it while you can. However, if you’d prefer not to share, a single room supplement is available at an additional charge. Please ask your travel consultant for more details. Hotels in Europe often don't have double beds, but rather two single beds that can be pushed together/apart. Please also note that some of our accommodation on this trip offer shared bathrooms rather than en-suite facilities.

As you will have the opportunity to visit several orthodox churches and mosques on this trip, please ensure you cover your legs, shoulders and chest and show the appropriate respect. It's a good idea to bring a light scarf to cover your skin as needed.

Gallery

Itinerary

Alo! Welcome to Romania. Your adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6pm today – double check with reception to confirm the time. You can arrive at any time during the day as there are no activities planned until this important meeting. If you can't arrange a flight that will have you arrive at the hotel by early evening, you may wish to arrive a day early. We'll be happy to book additional accommodation for you (subject to availability). If you're going to be late, please inform the hotel reception. We'll be collecting your insurance details and next of kin information at this meeting, so please have this ready for collection. Bucharest, Romania's capital city, likes big things. It's home to one of Europe's biggest squares and its Palace of Parliament is the second largest building in the world. It's worth arriving into the city a few days early to explore. Perhaps take a tour of the Palace of Parliament (former dictator Nicolae Ceauşescu ordered the construction of this 12-storied monster, a building of staggering scale and opulence that includes 1,100 rooms and 4,500 chandeliers), or check out the Museum of the Romanian Peasant. You might even like to partake in one of our Urban Adventure day trips, such as the 'Home Cooked Bucharest' tour.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Museum of the Romanian Peasant - RON6

Palace of Parliament Tour - RON35

Urban Adventures - Home Cooked Bucharest - EUR41

Urban Adventures - Bucharest Sites and Bites - EUR52

Urban Adventures - Outcast Bucharest - EUR52

Meals Included

This morning you will have some free time to further explore Bucharest and all it has to offer. While not the most beautiful or stylish city, there are some wonderful art nouveau buildings, ancient churches and monasteries, lush parkland, lakes and elegant boulevards. Around lunchtime take a bus to Sofia (approximately 6 hours), crossing the border from Romania into Bulgaria. Bulgaria's capital is a cosmopolitan city with wide tree-lined boulevards and pleasant parks. The city claims to be Europe’s second oldest at 7,000 years, though it was only first mentioned by name in documents 2,700 years ago. Alongside Communist-style architecture and beautiful Orthodox churches, construction works frequently uncover Roman remains, so it is perfectly normal to walk past Roman brickwork that has been incorporated into a pedestrian underpass. Mingle with locals who hit the parks and beer gardens to absorb the sun, seek out some regional cuisine and a glass of rakia.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Meals Included

Enjoy a free day in Sofia. Maybe begin with a browse around the cured meats and cheese of the Central Market Hall, then take a walk through the city and see the gold-domed Alexander Nevski Church. It was built as a memorial to the 200,000 Russian soldiers who died fighting for Bulgarian independence during the Russo-Turkish War – it’s imposingly cavernous, cool, and hushed inside. Other impressive religious buildings to check out include St Nikolai Russian Church, Sveta Nedelya Cathedral and Banya Bashi Mosque, a reminder of years of Turkish rule. There are numerous museums throughout the city, so you might like to get educational at the National History Museum, discover artefacts from the many empires of old that have occupied the city at the National Archaeologiucal Museum, or get cultural at the National Art Gallery. Our Urban Adventure day trips offer some great insight into the local cuisine; try the 'Breakfast with Sofia' or 'Sofia Food, Heritage and Culture' tours.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Aleksander Nevski Church - Free

National Art Gallery - BGN10

National History Museum - BGN10

Urban Adventures - Sofia Food, Heritage, and Culture - EUR35

Urban Adventures - Breakfast with Sofia - EUR27

Meals Included

Today take a short bus ride to journey into the Rila Mountains, where you'll visit the impressive Rila Monastery. Tucked away in a valley, this World Heritage-listed site is the largest and holiest of Bulgaria's orthodox monasteries. It was founded in 927 to keep Bulgarian spiritual and social life alive during Turkish rule. The entire monastery complex is a work of art in itself – check out stunning murals, the 14th-century Hrelyo Tower, the five-domed Birth of the Blessed Virgin Church and the original 19th-century monastery kitchen. From Rila, transfer to the small mountain village of Gorno Draglishte (approximately 1.5 hours) and spend the night at our local friend's guesthouse. While the accommodation is simple and not all rooms have an en suite, the atmosphere is warm and welcoming and you'll be treated to a delicious home-cooked dinner. You'll even have the chance to learn about the traditional weaving practices of the area.

Accommodation

Guesthouse (1 night)

Included Activities

Rila Monastery Visit

Meals Included

Journey on to the small town of Bansko (approximately 20 minutes). Set at the base of the majestic Pirin Mountains, Bansko is home to more than 150 cultural monuments. Down its cobbled streets, many of its stone houses have been transformed into charming ‘mehanes’ (taverns). Wander through pl. Vazrazhdane and check out the frescoes of the Church of Sveta Troitsa, or the paintings in the Rilski Convent. If you have the time, perhaps stretch your legs with a hike into the eastern slopes of the Pirin mountains, or visit the Belitsa Bear Sanctuary, home to rescued dancing bears. The sanctuary is the largest of its type in Europe, covering over 120,000 square metres. Here the bears can languish in lush green woods, with a river and pool in each enclosure. Seeing them sleeping in the sun, playing in the water and being free from captivity can be very moving. In the evening, you'll have the opportunity to indulge in some local cuisine. Try filet elena (spicy cured meat) or kapama (simmered meat, rice and sauerkraut), washing it down with some delicious melnik (dark red wine).

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Belitsa Bear Sanctuary - Free

Transport to Belitsa Bear Sanctuary - BGN15

Meals Included

Travel by public bus from Bankso to Plovdiv (approximately 5.5 hours). Situated on the Maritsa River, Plovdiv was once the meeting point of two ancient transportation routes. Join a local guide for a tour of the main sights and some insight into the town's history. The most remarkable sight is the ancient Roman theatre, accidentally ‘discovered’ after a landslide exposed the site in the early 1970s. Built in the 2nd century BC during the reign of Trajanus, the theatre seats about 6,000 people and is now back in use. From here, wander up to the site of the former hilltop fortress of Nebet Tepe, where you can enjoy excellent views of the city. Head back down to visit the 15th-century Dzhumaya Mosque, still in use today. After the tour, why not check out the underground crypt at Bachkovo Monastery or have a wander down Stumna Street to see traditional coppersmiths, farriers and potters at work. Perhaps discover the Bachkovo Monastery, or visit one of the many hot springs in the Plovdiv region. One of the most well-known spa towns is Hissarya, famous for its 22 mineral springs.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Included Activities

Plovdiv - Guided Tour

Optional Activities

Hot Springs Hissarya - BGN50

Bachkovo Monastery - BGN16

Meals Included

Today catch a seven-hour bus from Plovdiv, cross the border into Turkey and head on to Istanbul. A bustling mega-city with a population of over 12 million people, a rich history and food scene waiting to be explored, the only city in the world to straddle two continents – no amount of time here is ever enough to come to terms with this mesmerising ancient capital. Your journey ends on the morning of your second day here, so it's well worth staying on for a few extra days if time allows. There are plenty of optional things to see and do here. You might like to take a boat cruise down the Bosphorus River, lose yourself in the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar, check out the amazing Hagia Sofia and the Blue Mosque, or climb the ancient Galata Tower for great views over the city. In the evening, what better place to enjoy a final meal with your fellow travellers than the foodie paradise of Istanbul. Try some cheesy gozleme or tangy manti (Turkish ravioli with yogurt).

Note: All travellers to Turkey need to obtain an e-visa before arrival, as visas are not available at the border. Information about the e-visa can be found at the following site: evisa.gov.tr.

Accommodation

Hotel (1 night)

Optional Activities

Istanbul - Bosphorus Boat Cruise (Public) - TRY25

Turkish Bath - TRY30

Istanbul - Topkapi Palace - TRY45

Istanbul - Galata Tower - TRY18

Grand Bazaar - Free

Yerebatan Ancient Cistern - TRY10

Istanbul - Spice Market - Free

Urban Adventures - Old & New Istanbul - EUR35

Urban Adventures - Picnic On Two Continents - EUR35

Urban Adventures - Home Cooked Istanbul - EUR39

Urban Adventures - Istanbul Conquered - EUR70

Istanbul - Night Tasting Trail Urban Adventure - EUR75

Meals Included

Today your East European adventure comes to end. There are no activities planned and you are free to depart the accommodation at any time. If you would like to stay longer in Istanbul there are plenty more things to see. Perhaps visit the Archaeology Museum, which contains artefacts from the infamous city of Troy, join the hoards of shoppers and revellers along Istiklal Caddesi, or wander down into the quieter, hilly backstreets of Beyoglu where antique shops are aplenty. If all of this makes you a little tired, a visit to a hamam (Turkish bath) will leave you rejuvenated at the end of your journey. Additional accommodation can be booked, subject to availability. Please ask your travel consultant.

Accommodation

Included Activities

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Important notes

A single supplement is available on this trip, please see trip notes for details.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.